---
title: February 17th Annie Glenn Communication Disorders Awareness Day
description: Annie Glenn, wife of former astronaut and Senator John Glenn, overcame a severe stutter and went on to champion the issues and therapies for communication disorders. Ohio Governor John Kasich passed a law in 2016 naming February 17th Annie Glenn Communication Disorders Awareness Day.
---

[Communication Matters | Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center Blog](https://blog.chsc.org/blog)

# [February 17th Annie Glenn Communication Disorders Awareness Day](https://blog.chsc.org/blog/february-17th-annie-glenn-communication-disorders-awareness-day)

 Written by [Sharon Dundee](https://blog.chsc.org/blog/author/sharon-dundee) | Feb 1, 2018 3:42:27 PM

Anna Margaret “Annie” Glenn is the widow of astronaut and Senator John Glenn. She suffered from a severe stutter for most of her life. Once she received treatment, and overcame her disorder, she became a tireless advocate for people with disabilities and [**communication disorders**](https://blog.chsc.org/blog/what-is-a-communication-disorder). In 2016, Governor John Kasich passed a law naming February 17th (Annie’s birthday) as **Annie Glenn Communication Disorders Awareness Day** in the State of Ohio.

**DID YOU KNOW:**

- Communication disorders are among the most common disabilities in the U.S.
- An estimated 40 million Americans experience [**speech, language**](http://www.chsc.org/speech-language/#common-disorders), or [**hearing disorders.**](http://www.chsc.org/audiology/)
- 28-60% of [**children with a speech and language deficit**](http://www.chsc.org/speech-language/#common-pediatric-communication-disorders) have a sibling and/or parent  
  who is also affected.
- It is estimated that more than 3 million Americans stutter.
- Over 1 million Americans are functionally [**deaf**](http://www.chsc.org/community-center-for-the-deaf-hard-of-hearing/).
- The 2nd most common reason for special education services in U.S. public schools is  
  [**speech-language impairment.**](http://www.chsc.org/speech-language/#Treatment-of-Pediatric-Communication-Disorders)
- [**Communication disorders**](https://blog.chsc.org/blog/what-is-a-communication-disorder) cost the U.S. approximately $154-$186 billion annually.
- 37.5 million American adults aged 18 and over report some degree of [**hearing loss**](http://www.chsc.org/audiology/#hearing-tests).

[View full post](https://blog.chsc.org/blog/february-17th-annie-glenn-communication-disorders-awareness-day)

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